‘Nika’ to make landfall in Aurora or Isabela
SEVERE Tropical Storm Nika slightly intensified over the Philippine Sea, east of Quezon province, based on the 2 p.m. bulletin of the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) yesterday.
The eye of “Nika” was estimated 425 kilometers east of Infanta, Quezon, PAGASA said.
It is forecast to reach typhoon category yesterday and may reach its peak intensity prior to landfall over Isabela or Aurora this morning or early afternoon today.
It will continue moving west northwestward over the West Philippine Sea and exit the Philippine Area of Responsibility tomorrow afternoon or evening.
A short period of weakening is expected as Nika traverses the landmass of Luzon due to land interaction. Re-intensification may occur over the West Philippine Sea, according to PAGASA.
Tropical Cyclone Wind signal no. 2 is raised in the northern and central portions of Aurora (Dilasag, Casiguran, Dinalungan, Dipaculao, Maria Aurora, Baler), Isabela, Quirino, the southern portion of Cagayan (Solana, Iguig, Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Enrile), Nueva Vizcaya, Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, the eastern portion of Benguet (Mankayan, Buguias, Kabayan, Itogon, Bokod, Atok), the northern portion of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan) and the northeastern portion of Pangasinan (San Nicolas, Natividad, San Quintin).
Signal no. 1 is declared over the rest of Cagayan, including Babuyan Islands, Apayao, Abra, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the eastern and the rest of Pangasinan, La Union, the rest of Benguet, the rest of Aurora, Tarlac, the northern and central portions of Zambales (Santa Cruz, Candelaria, Masinloc, Palauig, Iba, Botolan, Cabangan, San Marcelino, San Felipe, San Narciso), the rest of Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Metro Manila, Rizal, the eastern portion of Laguna (Santa Maria, Mabitac, Pakil, Pangil, Famy, Siniloan, Paete, Kalayaan, Cavinti, Lumban, Luisiana, Santa Cruz, Magdalena, Pagsanjan, Majayjay, Liliw, Nagcarlan, Pila, Victoria), the eastern portion of Quezon (Calauag, Guinayangan, Tagkawayan, Pitogo, San Andres, Buenavista, San Francisco, Pagbilao, Infanta, Lopez, Catanauan, Mulanay, Unisan, General Luna, Plaridel, Quezon, Alabat, Sampaloc, Padre Burgos, Macalelon, Mauban, Perez, Agdangan, Gumaca, Atimonan, Real, San Narciso, General Nakar, Lucban, City of Tayabas, Lucena City) including Pollilo Islands, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, and Albay (Malinao, Tiwi, Bacacay, City of Tabaco, Malilipot, Rapu-Rapu).